 Milpitas High School’s student-run club, MHSCode4Good, continues to expose our Milpitas Unified School District learners to coding, website development, data science, artificial intelligence and more through a series of virtual and in-person workshops.
“Our efforts have resulted in opportunities for a fifth-grader to delve into the world of coding and website development, as well as the ability to provide tutoring services to 12th-graders, which resulted in better grades in AP Computer Science,” said Vidhi Patra, a senior at MHS and president of MHSCode4Good. In June 2023, the student-run club hosted Milpitas’ inaugural hybrid hackathon, which took place both in-person at the Alum Rock Library and online through Devpost. The club officers organized technical workshops in addition to mentorship for participants. Students from Rancho Milpitas and Thomas Russell middle schools, as well as Milpitas High School, participated in the hackathon. Five winners were selected at the end and given corporate-sponsor prizes. MHSCode4Good has organized a variety of events for MUSD students, including four HTML (coding) workshops via Zoom on the weekends in March 2023; 11 Python coding workshops via Zoom in July 2023; and a Tech Gallery Exhibit at Milpitas HS aimed to inspire new coders and showcase coding projects in September 2023. The club members offer weekly coding workshops during lunch, supporting MHS students with HTML, Python, data science and Artificial Intelligence as well as assisting with coding projects. In addition, they have worked with other MHS clubs to help create customized websites for them to showcase their activities and raise awareness. “Our club offers AP Computer Science test prep during lunchtime on the day before the AP Computer Science unit tests,” shared Patra, whose club officers have worked with more than 1,200 students overall through the multitude of these programs.  The Kiwanis Club of Milpitas currently has 23 members, all local residents, many of whom have been involved as community volunteers in many organizations and projects over time, most, but not all, with the school district.
Kiwanis International is focused on “serving the children of the world,” and the work that our Club does is part of that mission, according to Ron Lind, Kiwanis Club Secretary. “I joined Kiwanis because I wanted to make a difference in the community in which I reside,” said Lind, the longest-serving Kiwanis member who has served as the Club President five times over the last 25 years with the Club. “I joined because I found the community-based projects of the Club to be compelling and greatly-needed.” Some of the different ways Kiwanis has and continues to support the underserved youth in the Milpitas community include:
“MUSD truly appreciates the support our local Kiwanis provides to the MUSD community, especially to our most vulnerable students and families through initiatives such as The Kohl’s shopping spree, Turnaround scholarship and Milpitas Reads program,” said Superintendent Cheryl Jordan. Milpitas Kiwanis has distributed approximately $400,000 in support over the years to underserved youth in addition to working with Milpitas Food Pantry on volunteer needs, fundraising and the annual Jack Emery food drive and distribution. “We partner with Kiwanis International on various programs including the Kiwanis Children’s Fund,” Lind added. “We also raised money for a program that builds classrooms in rural areas in South America.”  When Randall World Languages School third grader Catherine Haughey learned about the devastation of the fires in Maui, she immediately wanted to find a way to help the victims, their families and the local community over there.
“Every year, me and my family go to Hawaii. When we saw what had happened on the news, my mom and dad were so sad,” shared Haughey, who jumped into action and started making beaded bracelets to sell at school as a fundraiser. “I have a bracelet set and hadn't opened the box so my mom helped me make them.” Haughey now sells the bracelets for $1 during recess and lunch to her schoolmates and Randall staff. “She approached us almost immediately after the fires were reported and just started selling the bracelets this week,” added Randall co-Principal Kristan Prolo, who gladly supported her student’s humanitarian efforts. Haughey then recruited her friend Livia Anna Devine who was onboard right away and “donated my bracelets to help out because I also felt bad about the fires.” All funds raised for the bracelets will be donated to a Maui relief fund that Haughey’s dad saw on the news. “I hope we raise enough money to help them a little bit,” added Devine, also a Randall third grader. “I hope they are all OK.”  Building character through competition, specifically in the Milpitas Elementary Olympics (MEO) and on the football gridiron, 1987 Milpitas High School alumnus Stacey Boyd grew into an education leader of today.
As the Superintendent of Maricopa County Community College High School District, Boyd’s leadership position “not only provides me the privilege to oversee the day-to-day operations of our school district, but allows me the provisions to influence change, inspire teachers, and serve my community.” The now 54-year-old professional educator, who owns a Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Studies, a Master’s of Education in Curriculum & Instruction, and working toward his Doctorate in Education (2025), attended Spangler Elementary, Thomas Russell Middle School and then MHS. Beginning in elementary school, the aspiring track star blossomed in the athletic forum. “The MEO’s provided the platform to showcase my talents in the area of track and field, which was definitely more natural than studying for those weekly Spangler spelling tests,” Boyd shared. “Each year was a new opportunity to compete against my nemesis, Sidney Crummie, the Zanker speedster. What fond memories! Though we were extremely competitive, we created a bond that lasted for years.” When he reached MHS, Boyd found even more drive and inspiration from math teacher and football coach Kelly King, who continues in those capacities today at MHS. As he continued to work on his craft, Boyd, a MHS Athlete of the Year and Leo B. Murphy Award recipient, became a more well-rounded student-athlete. “Coach Kelly inspired me to do my best in the classroom and on the field. He was a mentor who taught me the value of hard work,” Boyd recalled. “He took the time to explain the importance of math in its practical sense and how it applied to real world scenarios. He helped me acquire my first job, which taught me to be organized, accountable and timely. The skills I currently use daily.” Today, Boyd’s two sons, Stacey Boyd II and Shayden Boyd, are making their own marks in track and field. Stacey Boyd II is a college senior and 2018 High School Track & Field State Champion in the 100m and 200m. Shayden Boyd is currently a 5th grader and is the Arizona State Track and Field Record Holder in the 200m, 400m and 800m in his age group. He is currently ranked #2 in the country! As for some words of wisdom for the younger MUSD generations, Boyd shared this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Life Is A Journey, Not A Destination.” ​Volunteers Sought for Milpitas Unified School District’s Parcel Tax Oversight Committee (PTOC)8/29/2023
Voters have approved Milpitas Unified School District’s Parcel Tax, Measure E. We are on year 1 of an 8-year $84.00 a year parcel tax extension.
The purpose of the Parcel Tax Oversight Committee (PTOC) is to provide oversight and accountability on the expenditures funded by Measure E to ensure that said funds are spent for the purposes approved by the voters. The PTOC will review the expenditures of these funds by the District and will report to the Board of Education and the community annually on how these funds have been spent. We are seeking volunteers for the following positions to serve on the committee:
All members with the exception of business organization representative must be registered voters within the Milpitas Unified School District. The Parcel Tax Oversight Committee (PTOC) shall consist of at least five (5) members who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees to serve a term of two or three years, without compensation. Typically, the Committee meets twice a year at mutually convenient dates and times. PTOC meetings are open to the public. As an ad hoc committee of the Board of Education, PTOC meetings are subject to the Brown Act. For more information or to request an application form, please contact Milpitas Unified School District (MUSD) at (408) 635-2600 ext. 6022 or email nagraz@musd.org. An application form may be emailed, mailed, picked up from MUSD or downloaded from the District’s website at www.musd.org. Applications may be sent to the Business Services’ Office, Milpitas Unified School District, 1331 East Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035. Thank you! MUSD Jump Rope Star Eunice Lee wins 1 gold medal, 3 silvers at 2023 U.S. National Championship8/14/2023
 Thomas Russell Middle School eighth grader Eunice Lee continues to cement her legacy among the nation’s best jump rope competitors as she earned one gold medal and three silver medals at this summer’s 2023 U.S. National Jump Rope Championship in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Lee achieved gold for the 3-Minute Single Rope Speed Endurance, where she went on to a second-place finish with a juniors-best score of 455 at the Grand Nationals, and silvers for 30-Second Single Rope Speed Sprint, Single Rope Individual Freestyle, and Single Rope Pairs Freestyle. “It was very exciting and nerve-racking at the same time to see many talented and hard working jumpers all competing for gold,” Lee shared. “Every time another jumper performed or did their event and it was getting closer and closer to my turn, I would feel my nervousness kick in and I just kept reminding myself to not focus on anything or anyone else but me.” Lee is currently a 4-time U.S. National Jump Rope Champion for 3-Minute Speed (2021, 2022, and 2023) and Single Rope Individual Freestyle (2022). She placed second at the Grand Nationals for 3-Minute Speed twice (2022 and 2023). “Without my parents, I couldn’t have made it this far. I really think that all my hard work and long hours have paid off,” Lee said. “They have been supporting me all the way from the beginning of my jump rope journey and I could never thank them enough for all the praying, encouragement, attention, time, cheerleading, coaching, and most of all, all the love they gave me.” A Milpitas native who formed the Milpitas Jump Rope, Lee proudly represents her hometown and credits the Milpitas Elementary Olympics for kick-starting her jump rope accomplishments. “Whenever they ask me how I started to jump rope, I always tell them about the Milpitas Elementary Olympics and how I found my talent there,” Lee said. “I hope that the population of jump ropers will continue to grow in Milpitas and in the Bay Area.” Watch video clips of Lee competing in this year's National Championship:  Milpitas Unified School District (MUSD) was recently awarded a $1.5 million grant from Assemblymember Alex Lee’s District 24 Office to support local workforce development through the construction of the MUSD Innovation Campus.
“I’m excited to secure $1.5 million in the 2023-2024 state budget for MUSD’s Innovation Campus,” said Assemblymember Lee. “The funding will help MUSD build new learning experiences for high schoolers and adult learners, enriching its workforce development pathways. Doing so will help the school district prepare learners of all backgrounds to enter the dynamic workforce.” A first-of-its-kind high school through adult, early childhood education research and workforce development center–located on the site of the former Samuel Ayer High School–the MUSD Innovation Campus will be a hub for future-ready learners of all ages to connect with local businesses and partners within classrooms and labs tailored to provide a real-world education. “The MUSD Innovation Campus is unique in that it will intertwine business, higher education, governance, and community partnerships in uncommon ways,” said Superintendent Cheryl Jordan, who has invested her life’s work with MUSD. “This is about engaging learners in experiences that will shape their understanding of possibilities that they can manifest through their ingenuity and collaboration in the global world of work.” The new facilities will support a wide variety of programming, including business entrepreneurship, robotics, virtual reality, Audio/Video production, coding, artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer science and virtual design and construction, as well as simulation for legal, financial, manufacturing and health career training. The MUSD Innovation Campus will provide dedicated space for MUSD’s Adult Education School, Calaveras Hills High School and additional facilities for Milpitas High School students. “I graduated from Milpitas HS ten years ago, and being a product of MUSD, it brings me great pride to see its vision of harnessing the diversity of MUSD learners to the Innovation Campus,” added Assemblymember Lee, a Sinnott Elementary, Rancho Milpitas MS and Milpitas HS alumnus. “Those in the MUSD community come from all walks of life. Their life experiences and political beliefs helped build my understanding of the diversity of the district I represent.” Board of Education President Chris Norwood, also a proud product of MUSD public schools, noted: “For generations to come, the MUSD Innovation Campus is an education and economic investment for our children, adult learners, and employers of Milpitas. The Milpitas Unified School District Governing Board of Trustees recognizes the continued and ongoing efforts of Assemblymember Lee’s office in supporting our vision. We look forward to continuing our work with his office, other education-minded elected officials, and regional funders as we manage unforeseen post pandemic challenges.” With the completion of Phase 1 for the start of the 2023-24 school year, the MUSD Innovation Campus is set to ignite workforce pathways and early childcare research in our region and beyond in two additional phases. Phase 2 is slated to be completed in summer 2024, while the Phase 3 opening is estimated for fall 2025. MUSD continues to seek the support of individual financial partners like that of KLA Corporation to sponsor this first-of-its-kind bridge between local businesses, institutes of higher education, governance, and future-ready learners. For more information, please visit: https://www.musd.org/musd-innovation-campus-campaign.html. Through partnerships with community, colleges and universities, as well as local businesses, the MUSD Innovation Campus will provide training and education that support growing and emerging career fields and practical career simulation. This novel academic institution will prepare Milpitas students of all ages for the local – and global – job market. Upon full capacity, the 99,000 sq. ft. campus will consist of six new two-story buildings, as well as one modernized building complete with classrooms, learning labs, career simulation facilities, and STEAM labs. The campus is designed to provide environments for a wide variety of programming supported by flex spaces and outdoor learning quads. Each building will include sustainable materials, energy efficient lighting, all-electric mechanical systems, stormwater catchment and water-efficient landscaping. “I am committed to ensuring that students have access to a quality public education,” Assemblymember Lee concluded. “The Innovation Campus will serve as a springboard to success for learners’ future careers, and I look forward to seeing its door open for the MUSD community.” # # # About Milpitas Unified School District Milpitas Unified School District is a beacon for learning for more than 10,000 students in early childhood through adult education. We have high expectations for every student and provide multiple opportunities and pathways for success. We provide learning opportunities for all and create nurturing environments where students are inspired and empowered. MUSD is an exceptional district in which students and staff are critical thinkers and trailblazers known for creativity and innovation. We prepare students to go out into the world and make a difference as responsible citizens who are passionate about life and learning. To learn more about Milpitas Unified School District, visit www.musd.org, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MilpitasUnified, or follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @MUSDFamily.   This summer, 100 Milpitas Unified School District 4th-6th grade students have been immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through the STEMGirls Milpitas High School’s 2023 STEMpower program.
STEMGirls Milpitas HS partnered with the MHS Math Club, Medical Society, Environmental Society, and Aerotech to organize this ongoing summer program, with a focus on STEM subjects that often intimidate students or certain populations like women are underrepresented in. STEMgirls President Savan Bollu worked alongside STEMgirls officers Tvisha Nepani, Lauren Lee, Ling Casenas, and Cassie Salazar to facilitate the program, along with 15+ volunteers from all participating clubs on designing the program. “Each club designed an experiment; we ordered necessary materials; STEMgirls took care of outreach/logistics; we collaborated with clubs on assembling the kits and distributed them to parents in a drive-through at Russell; and we are in the process of teaching our four virtual demo sessions,” Savan explained. The experiments that students are working on are:
“We have loved seeing parents encouraging their students to participate in such STEM programs, and even more, seeing students that consistently join our virtual sessions, ask questions, and are super curious about STEM!,” Savan added. “We hope to help them feel confident asking questions, tackling difficult subjects, and solving global issues in the future.” In the four programs STEMGirls has hosted so far, they’ve had more than 550 participants from over 22 schools. This is a recap video from the summer 2021 program: https://youtu.be/CVaS4v6Q410.
A swarm of Sinnott Elementary School students excelled at the 2023 International Academic Competitions (IAC) National Bees competitions in Arlington, Virginia last month. Sixth grader Tejus Karadi earned 2nd place honors in the Geography Bee while placing third in both the Latin American History National Championship Exam and the American Geography National Championship Exam as well as 8th place in the History Bee. Fellow Sinnott sixth grader Stavya Dangaria secured a 2nd place finish at the Science Bee Nationals. The dynamic duo of Stavya Dangaria and Tejus Karadi also finished 1st and 3rd place, respectively, at the 2023 IAC Academic Bee, a medley of all subjects including but not limited to science, history, geography, literature, current events and more. "Having two Sinnott kids on the awards podium was a joyful sight," shared the Sinnott PTA which introduced the Bees competitions to the school. ”Overall Sinnott kids were on the leaderboard, performed extremely well, and made us all proud.” But wait there’s more:
Sinnott produced nine qualifiers for the 2023 Elementary/Middle School (EMS) IAC Nationals. They earned their ticket to Nationals through an online regional qualifying exam (ORQE). Students who pass the qualifying exam then compete in regional competitions. Approximately, 64,000 kids wrote the online regional qualifying exam and over 1,800 qualifiers participated in the Nationals. With over 1,800 students in attendance, according to IAC, this was the world’s largest ever buzzer-based quiz bowl tournament for students. Sinnott students who participated at the Nationals were: Adhya Dangaria, 3rd grade; Tara Karadi, 3rd grade; Shreya Ram, 5th grade; Kashvi Agarwal, 6th grade; Joash Thomas, 6th grade; Parth Baheti, 6th grade; Prisha Ghelani, 6th grade; Stavya Dangaria, 6th grade; and Tejus Karadi, 6th grade. Click for full EMS Nationals results Click to learn more about IAC
 As a Director of Learning Development at RAFT (Resource Area for Teaching), 1994 Milpitas High School alumnus Eric Welker develops curriculum support materials such as project guides and hands-on activities for educators.
The 47-year-old, who attended Curtner Elementary and Thomas Russell Middle School prior to MHS, credits his education career pathway to “the rigorous science and math curricula teachers used in my years at these schools helped foster a passion for these subjects.” Welker’s resume includes a BA-Biology, MA-Education and Single Subject Teaching Credential as well as teaching biology, chemistry and math at Silver Creek High School, Cupertino High School, and for Modesto City Schools and Stanislaus County Office of Education for about 12 years. Currently in his 15th year with RAFT, Welker designs and facilitates teacher professional development workshops to increase teacher self-efficacy in STEAM education, focusing heavily on K-5 teacher support and coaching. He creates and implements several other programs and community projects that impact K-5 schools and districts. His passion for science grew with inspiration from three Milpitas HS teachers: Mr. Walt Dable (life science); Mr. Fred Gareb (biology/zoology); and Mr. Bob Armstrong (chemistry). “From these teachers I learned how to explain and apply science concepts with enthusiasm and a sense of wonder, and good work ethics,” shared Welker, whose math prowess was nurtured by inspirational teachers: Mr. David Ivanetich (Algebra 2); Mr. Kelly King (Math A); and Mr. Andreoli (Algebra 1 and Geometry). The father of six said his confidence grew from the MHS English and Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) programs, “From Mr. Weinstein and Mrs. Taggart, I learned to write and speak very well on any topic,” he shared. “I was in NJROTC all 4 years of high school and learned how to manage other people and lead them towards their own goals, and I lost a ton of weight and gained some muscle!” Playing 4-square, tetherball, dodgeball and other recess/PE activities are some of his fondest memories of growing up in Milpitas and MUSD, where “my teachers while stern were also some of the kindest people I've known. They took the time to really get to know the students and treat them as emerging leaders.” Welker, who still keeps in touch with many of his Milpitas schoolmates, wants the younger MUSD generations to treasure every moment in MUSD and shared, “My biggest piece of advice is to own your future and accept responsibility for the decisions (and their associated consequences) needed to get you there. Take risks, do fun activities in addition to working on academics, and find many avenues towards a blissful, fulfilled life.” |
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING:
The governing board of Milpitas Unified School District will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Media ResourcesArchives
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